Carbajal: More than $23 million allocated for Central Coast transit

By KATHERINE ZEHNDER NEWS-PRESS STAFF WRITER

U.S. Rep. Carbajal on Tuesday announced $23,577,941 in Bipartisan Infrastructure Law funding for transit improvements on the Central Coast.

Rep. Carbajal, D-Santa Barbara, helped to craft the improvements in 2021.

“As a kid growing up in Oxnard, I learned firsthand the importance of reliable public transportation for my family and so many others on the Central Coast,” said Rep. Carbajal in a statement. “Now, through my work on the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, the landmark infrastructure law that I helped craft is delivering critical investments for transit improvements up and down our region. I look forward to working with our regional transit authorities and local leaders to ensure these funds improve transit availability and affordability, cut carbon pollution, and reduce traffic for all our area’s residents.”

Provided through the Federal Transit Administration, funding includes:

• $8,772,266 for Santa Barbara.

• $7,000,569 for Santa Maria.

• $1,763,907 for Lompoc.

• $4,815,298 for San Luis Obispo.

• $2,225,901 for Arroyo Grande.

“Congressman Carbajal’s influence has been paramount in safeguarding public transit system funding in smaller regions like ours so that we have the same access to federal resources as more urbanized areas,” Marjie Kirn, executive director of the Santa Barbara County Association of Governments, said in a statement. “We look forward to working with the congressman and regional transit operators in 2024 to protect critical federal public transportation investment in our county.”

The Central Coast funding is part of more than $2 billion in funding that California received for fiscal year 2023.

Since the law’s enactment, more than $370 million has been allocated to the Central Coast for infrastructure, clean water, climate resilience and other related projects. These projects include $75 million for improvements to Highway 101, more than $6 million for airport improvements and funds to plug abandoned oil wells in Channel Islands National Park. email: kzehnder@newspress.com

TRAFFIC, CRIME & FIRE BLOTTER

Detectives search for attempted murder suspect

found a woman with several stab wounds to her upper torso. Deputies quickly identified the suspect as the victim’s boyfriend, 23-year-old Jesus David Galvan Cuevas, according to Raquel Zick, the sheriff’s office public information officer.

Ms. Zick said the suspect fled prior to deputies’ arrival, and the victim was transported to an area hospital. The victim was seriously injured but is expected to recover.

In the days that followed, detectives have been actively investigating this crime and believe that Mr. Cuevas has fled the area in a black 2006 Audi A3 station wagon, Ms. Zick said.

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Sheriff’s detectives are sharing a photo of Mr. Cuevas, who is described as 6’ tall, 260 pounds, with black hair, brown eyes and a full beard that could have been shaved to alter his appearance.

Ms. Zick said Mr. Cuevas should be considered dangerous. The sheriff’s office is encouraging anyone with information about his location to contact sheriff’s detectives at 805681-4150. If you prefer to remain anonymous, you can provide information by calling the tip line at 805-681-4171 or going online at sbsheriff.org/home/anonymous-tip.

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